Method and apparatus for providing personal audio alert messaging for audio alerting capable terminals

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method, apparatus and system for providing personal audio alert messages (PAAM) to a called party and a calling party during a call connection. In response to a call origination by the calling party, a PAAM database may be queried. One ore more personal audio alert message (PAAM) strings may be received from a database in response to the query. A first PAAM string, from the one or more PAAM strings identifying the called party to the calling party, may be returned. The call may be routed to the called party. A second PAAM string and a third PAAM string may be returned, from the one or more PAAM strings, to the called party in the routed call. The call is connected if the called party accepts the call.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]This invention relates generally to the field of telecommunications. More particularly, the invention provides personal audio alert messaging to users of communications devices.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Existing telecommunications terminal devices, such as wired telephones or mobile communications devices, use conventional methods to indicate that a call is being connected or that a call is incoming. For example, when a calling party (i.e., call originator) places a call to a called party (i.e., call receiver), a ringing circuit in the central office (CO) switch may generate a ringing tone directed towards the calling party's receiver. The CO switch also generates a corresponding ring directed towards the called party device. Once the called party “picks up” or “goes off hook,” the ringing circuit is removed and the call is connected.[0003]Many times, a calling party may dial a wrong number either because the wrong number was provided to the calling party...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method, apparatus and system for providing personal audio alert messages to a called party and a calling party during a call connection. In response to a call origination by the calling party, a personal audio alert message (PAAM) database may be queried. One or more PAAM strings may be received from a database in respons

Problems solved by technology

Many times, a calling party may dial a wrong number either because the wrong number was provided to the calling party or because the calling party inadvertently dialed or entered the wrong number.

This can be an inconvenience to both the called party and calling party.

Moreover, unless the called party has caller identification (i.e., Caller ID) activated on her communications device, the called party may not know the identity of the calling party until the called party “picks up.”

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